Casket lid

ABSTRACT

A liner used in combination with a casket lid that is composed of an upper layer of plastic material and a lower layer of a fabric bonded to the upper layer and having a design molded therein. The liner has edges that engage and fit against internal surfaces of the casket lid and the liner has molded therein a design that is appropriate for a casket liner. The plastic is of a resilient material so that the liner itself is biased into a relatively fixed position when inserted in the lid.

llnited States atent Esterdahl 1 May 29, 1973 [54] CASKET LID 3,344,494 10/1967 McClive ..27 19 [76] Inventor: Richard B. Esterdahl, PO. Box I 163B prophetstown L 61277 Primary Examiner-Richard A. Gaudet Assistant Examiner-G. F. Dunne [22] Filed: May 1970 Attorney-William A. Murray [21] Appl. No.: 35,107

- [57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl ..27/19 A liner used in combination with a casket lid that is [51] Int. Cl. ..A61g 17/04 composed of an upper layer of plastic material and a [58] Field of Search ..27/19; 161/89 lower layer of a fabric bonded to the upper layer and having a design molded therein. The liner has edges [56] References Cited that engage and fit against internal surfaces of the casket lid and the liner has molded therein a design UNITED STATES PATENTS that is appropriate for a casket liner. The plastic is of a 2,637,137 5/1953 Flynn ..27/19 X resilient material so that the liner itself is biased into a 2,718,687 9/1955 Woltering ....27/19 relatively fixed position when inserted in the lid. 3,487,513 1/1970 Herring et al.. ....27/l9 3,204,318 9/1965 Ross .Q ..27/19 16 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEB 3,735,457

v INVENTOR.

RICHARD B. ESTERDAHL FIG. 6

CASKET Lin BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a molded liner that may be utilized in a casket lid. The liner is composed of an upper layer of plastic material which may take a fixed set and a lower layer of cloth material which takes the set of the plastic. Thus, the entire liner may be molded into any desired design. Preferably, the two pieces, when molded, give the appearance of seamed material on the exposed surface of the liner.

Heretofore, it has been conventional in providing liners for caskets to actually seam various designs within a white satin-type material giving the appearance of it being cushioned, providing ruffles therein, or providing other types of designs appropo to the occasion of a funeral. Providing such a design in the casket liner requires several hours of machine and hand stitching. Also, there must be provided a backing for the fabric material on which it can. be mounted. Therefore, the lining material and the way it is mounted within the casket lid is a very expensive part of the entire cost of the casket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION With the'above in mind, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide in combination with a casket lid a liner composed in part of an upper layer of plastic and a lower layer of fabric that are bonded together and molded into a crown or arch-shaped liner. Normally, a casket lid has a horizontal flange extending inwardly from its edges and it is the further object of the present invention to provide edges around the liner that engage the flanges of the lid and other internal surfaces of the lid and which grip the lid so as to hold the liner in the desired position.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a liner that is composed of resilient material so that it may be compressed for inserting it in the lid and when expanded within the lid may be held in position by the biasing force created by the resiliency of the liner itself. When in repose, the liner would, of course, be greater in fore-and-aft dimension than the internal fore-and-aft dimension of the lid. Consequently, when it is inserted within the lid, it will be in a slight compressed condition and be held in the desired position.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide the above type of liner for use with a casket lid which has inwardly projecting horizontal and coplanar 4 flanges at its edges and to provide a liner therewith that.

has a central elongated portion molded in arch-like fashion to extend between and above the flanges and which has its edges engaging the flanges so that one portion lies on the flanges and a second portion is inclined to the first portion and engages the internal surface of the lid. The inclined portions along the edges prevent movement of the liner away from the flanges. The liner edges also have shoulders that engage the edges of the flanges and prevent movement in the plane of the flanges. The edges of the liner are also provided with suitable corner cutouts which permit the respective edges to be flexed or compressed for purposes of inserting the liner in the lid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a casket utilizing the liners and lid of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is. a sectional view taken substantially along DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The casket body 10 can be of any desired or usual construction. The casket includes a hinged top-section or lid 12 at the head end of the casket and a hingedtop section or lid l3at the foot end of the casket. The lids 12, 13 are hinged along their rear longitudinal sides to the rear of the casket body 10 by suitable hinging means such as is indicated at 14. Each of the lids 12', 13 are substantially identical in structure, although, slightly different in length, and consequently only'a description of the head end lid 12 will begiven. For, purposes of orientation, the rear side of the casket is that on which the hinges 14 are carried. Also, upper. and lower is determined, when describing the-lid, when the lid is in its closed position.

The lid 12 is composed of an elongated crown portion 15 that extends from front to rear between a rear vertical side 16 and a front vertical side 17. atthe rear and front of the casket. The lid 12 has inwardly extending aligned horizontal flanges 18, 19 at its front. andrear surface that are joinedby a similar flange 20.extending across the head end of the casket. The body portion also has inwardly projecting flanges 21 extend-. ing around its upper edge that engages the flanges 18, 19 and 20. The flanges 18, 19, 20 have inner terminal edges or lips 22, 23, 24 respectively that are slightly inclined upwardly and inwardly from the respective flanges. At the foot end of the lid 17' there is provided body or box 10. As can best be seen from viewing FIG.

3, the lid 12 has an inclined end 26 that extends from a vertical portion 27 to the crown 15.

A liner 30 is provided in the lid 12 and is detachably connected to the lid in a manner presently to be described. The liner 30 is composed of an elongated archlike section 31 that extends from front to rear of the casket lid. In the first form of the invention, the liner is'spaced under the crown 15 of the lid 12 and has rear and front edge sections 32, 33 with inner portions 34, 35 that engage the lips 22, 23 of the respective flanges 18, 19 and inclined portions 36, 37 that extend upwardly and outwardly over the flanges 18, 19 to engage the inner surface of the lid 12. The edge portions 32, 33 also have vertical portions 38, 39 that lie adjacent and alongside the vertical portions 16, 17 respectively of the lid. Reviewing FIG. ,3 for the moment, the extreme head end of the liner 30 is provided with a similar edge 40 that engages the lips 24 of the horizontal flange 20 in a manner previously described. The edge portions 32, 33 atthe inner. edge sections 34, 35 are provided with shoulders 43, 44 that bear against the inneredges 22, 23. A similar shoulder is provided in the edgeportion 40 for engaging the edge or lip 24.

Reviewing FIG. 4, it becomes apparent that the corners of the insert or liner 31 are removed for ease of inserting the liner 31 in the lid 12. Also, the arch-like portion 31 has a portion 46 that extends outwardly in a longitudinal direction beyond the edge portions 32, 33.

Referring now to the construction of the liner 30 itself, it is composed of an upper layer 50 of a plastic material and a lower layer 51 of a fabric material, normally of a white satin variety, and has a bonding agent 52 between adjoining surfaces so that the two layers 50, 51 are unified and may be molded to the correct shape. The plastic layer 50 may be of any of several commercial types but should be of a resilient material so that the liner 30 may be distorted for purposes of inserting it in the lid 12 and again regain its shape after it is inserted. The entire liner may be shaped in almost any desirable pattern such as would be desired in normal casket decorations. In the present manner of producing the pattern in the fabric, the mold is prepared by spraying thin layers of plastic onto a hand-made or sewn fabric that is made to the desired shape and design for a casket liner. Layers of plastic are placed on such a liner until there is sufficient thickness that it may be used as a pattern to form a mold.

Upon the mold being completed as above described, a white satin cloth is laid on the mold. A thin plastic layer, which will be the layer 50, is then pressed against the fabric by vacuum forming so that it takes the shape of the mold while at the same time bonding the fabric layer 51 to the plastic layer 50. A bonding agent is applied to the surface of the plastic layer prior to the vacuum forming to ensure proper bonding between the layer and fabric. Once the original mold is formed, innumerable liners may be made from the mold in the manner described.

When in repose, the liner 30 is slightly larger in a front as and rear direction than when it is inserted in the liner 12 as shown in FIG. 2. As may be clearly evident, the liner 30 may be inserted in the lid 12 by deforming it slightly so that it will fit over the edges 22, 23 and 24. Since it is slightly larger than when inserted, the resiliency .to the liner will force the vertical edge portions 38, 39 against the walls 16, 17. The inclined portions 36, 37 will force the inner portions 34, 35 to seat against the flanges 18, 19 and so that the shoulders 43, 44 engage the edges of the lips 22, 23. Thus, the liner 30 is held in a generally fixed position relative to the lid 12. The end section 40 fits against the flange 20 and lip 24 much in the same manner as the sections 32, 33 fit against the flanges 18, 19 and their respective lips 22, 23. The extending portion 46 is inclined slightly upwardly and will bear against the under side of the flange 25. Being inclined slightly upwardly will ensure sealed appearance between the extending portion and the flange 25. If desired, a small amount of adhesive may be used to attach this section 46 to the flange 25. Also, it should be recognized that the extending portion 46 could fit above the flange 25.

Referring to FIG. for a modified form of the invention, a lid 60 is of a shallower type in the vertical direction. This is a common type of coffin lid although not quite as popular as the previous form of lid. The lid 60 has inwardly extending horizontally aligned flanges 61, 62 and 63 and, although not shown, an additional horizontal flange at the opposite end from the end 63. A liner 65 is provided and has an arch-like portion beneath the crown portion 60 that extends between the flanges 61, 62. Edge sections 66, 67 are provided at the front and rear edge of the elongated central section 65 and include horizontal portions 68, 69 that lie on top of therespective flanges 61, 62. The edge portions 66, 67 terminate in inverted V-shaped portions 70, 71 that extend to and engage the inner surfaces of the crown portion 60. While in repose, the liner has its arch-like portion 65 of a greater height than when it is inserted in the liner as shown in FIG. 5. The upper surface of the portion therefore engages the inner or under surface of the crown portion 60 to thereby apply a downward force on the horizontal sections 68, 69 to thereby effect engagement between the sections and the upper surfaces of the flanges 61, 62. The inverted V portions 70, 71 act as springs, and will yield when necessary, to provide a frictional gripping action between the portions and the inner surfaces of the crown portion 60. Thus, the arch-like portion 65 forces the horizontal portions 68, 69 downwardly to be held on the flanges 61, 62 and the spring or inverted V-shaped portions 70, 71 retain the liner in a fixed fore-and-aft position in respect to the lid 60. A similar arrangement is provided at the respective ends of the lid 60 as is shown on the sides or in the manner shown in the previous form so that the liner is fixed in a longitudinal direction to the lid 60.

I claim:

1. In combination, a casket lid structure composed of a lid having a central elongated crown portion extending upwardly from horizontal edge flanges at its end, front and rear sides, said flanges at their peripheries having lips extending toward the crown portion, a liner for said lid composed of an elongated central portion disposed beneath the crown portion and having at least part thereof bearing against the lid structure, said liner further having edge portions above the respective flanges with at least the edge portions at the, front and rear sides having a shoulder section engaging and seated on the lip of the respective flange and a continuing portion extending from the lip engageable with the inner side of the lid, said liner being of resilient material whereby the liner may be distorted to permit insertion thereof within the lid and will be biased toward expansion for retaining the liner within the lid, and said liner when in repose being larger in a front and rear direction than when in the lid whereby the resiliency of the liner biases it to a fixed position with respect to the lid when inserted therein.

2. The casket liner as set forth in claim 1 in which the liner is composed of an upper plastic layer and a lower fabric layer bonded to one another and together molded to have adesign in the liner.

3. A casket lid structure composed of an outer metal cover having a crown portion extending longitudinally between opposite ends and front to rear between front and rear inwardly extending edge flanges, said flanges at their peripheries having lips extending toward the crown portion, and a liner composed of resilient material and having front and rear shoulder portions above and engageable with the front and rear flanges respectively and a continuing portion engageable with the underside of the lid and an integral central portion between the shoulder edge portions, and said liner when in repose having a greater distance between the shoulder portions than the distance between the front and rear flanges so as to create a vertical pressure between the shoulder and the respective flanges when the liner is seated in the lid.

4. The casket lid structure as set forth in claim 3 in which the liner has a lower fabric layer and an upper plastic layer bonded together and together molded to a shape having in cross section an elongated arch-like portion defining the central portion disposed beneath and internally of the crown portion of the cover and integral edge portions defining at least in part said front and rear shoulder portions.

5. The casket lid structure as set forth in claim 1 in which the liner is molded with a design in the fabric to simulate a seamed fabric surface.

6. The casket lid structure as set forth in claim 5 further characterized by one end of the lid having an end flange substantially coplaner with the edge flanges at the front and rear sides and an arch-shaped flange at the opposite end joining with and extending inwardly and upwardly from the edge flanges, and said liner is further characterized by having an edge portion above and engageable with the end flange and an arch-shaped end engageable with the arch-shaped flange and projecting from the aforesaid central portion beyond its side edge flanges.

7. The casket lid structure as set forth in claim 6 characterized by the arch-shaped end being slightly inclined and fitting against the underside of the archshaped flange.

8. The casket lid structure as set forth in claim 6 in which the liner is generally rectangular and the corners of the liner are relieved between the respective flanges.

9. The casket lid structure as set forth in claim 5 in which the shoulder portions of said liner have shoulders therein engageable with the lips of the flanges.

10. The casket lid structure as set forth in claim 9 in which the liner is resilient and is larger in a front and rear direction when in repose than said casket lid whereby when inserted the shoulders will be biased outwardly to retain engagement between the shoulders and the respective lips of the flanges.

11. The invention as set forth in claim 3 in which the continuing portions have vertical V-shaped portions extending longitudinally along the edges that engage the inner surface of the cover adjacent the junctures of the crown with the front end rear flanges.

12. The invention as set forth in claim 11 in which the liner when in repose has a fore-and-aft dimension greater than the fore-and-aft dimension of the cover to cause the V-shaped portions to be compressed when the liner is inserted in the cover.

13. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which the the continuing portions are vertically inclined portions that project upwardly from the shoulder portions and engage the inner surface of the cover.

14. The invention as defined in claim 15 in which the vertically inclined portions are compressible in front and rear directions and engage the inner surface of the cover at its front and rear sides.

15. The invention defined in claim 3 in which the shoulder portions have shoulders thereon that seat against the lips to define a joint therebetween for holding the liner in said cover against front and rear shifting.

16. The invention defined in calim 3 in which the front and rear shoulder portions of the liner bear against the lips and have integral portions extending from the lips to the inner surface of the cover for engagement therewith. 

1. In combination, a casket lid structure composed of a lid having a central elongated crown portion extending upwardly from horizontal edge flanges at its end, front and rear sides, said flanges at their peripheries having lips extending toward the crown portion, a liner for said lid composed of an elongated central portion disposed beneath the crown portion and having at least part thereof bearing against the lid structure, said liner further having edge portions above the respective flanges with at least the edge portions at the, front and rear sides having a shoulder section engaging and seated on the lip of the respective flange and a continuing portion extending from the lip engageable with the inner side of the lid, said liner being of resilient material whereby the liner may be distorted to permit insertion thereof within the lid and will be biased toward expansion for retaining the liner within the lid, and said liner when in repose being larger in a front and rear direction than when in the lid whereby the resiliency of the liner biases it to a fixed position with respect to the lid when inserted therein.
 2. The casket liner as set forth in claim 1 in which the liner is composed of an upper plastic layer and a lower fabric layer bonded to one another and together molded to have a design in the liner.
 3. A casket lid structure composed of an outer metal cover having a crown portion extending longitudinally between opposite ends and front to rear between front and rear inwardly extending edge flanges, said flanges at their peripheries having lips extending toward the crown portion, and a liner composed of resilient material and having front and rear shoulder portions above and engageable with the front and rear flanges respectively and a continuing portion engageable with the underside of the lid and an integral central portion between the shoulder portions, and said liner when in repose having a greater distance between the shoulder portions than the distance between the front and rear flanges so as to create a vertical pressure between the shoulder and the respective flanges when the liner is seated in the lid.
 4. The casket lid structure as set forth in claim 3 in which the liner has a lower fabric layer and an upper plastic layer bonded together and together molded to a shape having in cross section an elongated arch-like portion defining the central portion disposed beneath and internally of the crown portion of the cover and integral edge portions defining at least in part said front and rear shoulder portions.
 5. The casket lid structure as set forth in claim 1 in which the liner is molded with a design in the fabric to simulate a seamed fabric surface.
 6. The casket lid structure as set forth in claim 5 further characterized by one end of the lid having an end flange substantially coplaner with the edge flanges at the front and rear sides and an arch-shaped flange at the opposite end joining with and extending inwardly and upwardly from the edge flanges, and said liner is further characterized by having an edge portion above and engageable with the end flange and an arch-shaped end engageable with the arch-shaped flange and projecting from the aforesaid central portion beyond its side edge flanges.
 7. The casket lid structure as set fOrth in claim 6 characterized by the arch-shaped end being slightly inclined and fitting against the underside of the arch-shaped flange.
 8. The casket lid structure as set forth in claim 6 in which the liner is generally rectangular and the corners of the liner are relieved between the respective flanges.
 9. The casket lid structure as set forth in claim 5 in which the shoulder portions of said liner have shoulders therein engageable with the lips of the flanges.
 10. The casket lid structure as set forth in claim 9 in which the liner is resilient and is larger in a front and rear direction when in repose than said casket lid whereby when inserted the shoulders will be biased outwardly to retain engagement between the shoulders and the respective lips of the flanges.
 11. The invention as set forth in claim 3 in which the continuing portions have vertical V-shaped portions extending longitudinally along the edges that engage the inner surface of the cover adjacent the junctures of the crown with the front end rear flanges.
 12. The invention as set forth in claim 11 in which the liner when in repose has a fore-and-aft dimension greater than the fore-and-aft dimension of the cover to cause the V-shaped portions to be compressed when the liner is inserted in the cover.
 13. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which the the continuing portions are vertically inclined portions that project upwardly from the shoulder portions and engage the inner surface of the cover.
 14. The invention as defined in claim 15 in which the vertically inclined portions are compressible in front and rear directions and engage the inner surface of the cover at its front and rear sides.
 15. The invention defined in claim 3 in which the shoulder portions have shoulders thereon that seat against the lips to define a joint therebetween for holding the liner in said cover against front and rear shifting.
 16. The invention defined in claim 3 in which the front and rear shoulder portions of the liner bear against the lips and have integral portions extending from the lips to the inner surface of the cover for engagement therewith. 